I think the new synthetic DEF is more trouble than it's worth

Had a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia in the shop yesterday with a blocked DEF injector after only 8,000 miles on a tank of that 'premium' synthetic stuff. I mean, the customer paid extra for it thinking it was better, but it crystallized way faster than the standard bulk brand we usually recommend. Has anyone else seen these new formulas causing more frequent dosing system issues?

3 comments

3 Comments

terry_adams811mo ago

Yeah we've been seeing the same thing at our place. Had a Pete 579 last week with the exact same problem, crystal buildup all over the injector tip after running that fancy synthetic blend. It's like the stuff is too pure for its own good or something, just gums up faster. Makes you wonder who's really benefiting from these "upgraded" formulas besides the companies selling them. Total waste of money if it's gonna cause more downtime.

blake_martinez181mo ago

Switched back to the cheap bulk stuff and haven't had a single injector clog since.

ryan_sanchez16d ago

Wait, crystal buildup? On the injector tip itself? That's wild. I've seen gunk and carbon before but actual crystals sounds like some weird chemistry experiment. No wonder it's clogging. That fancy blend must be reacting with something it shouldn't. Makes the cheap stuff look like a genius move.